CHESTER, Pa. – Lebanon Valley College mounted a late comeback, but couldn't get the game-tying score late in the fourth quarter as it fell, 20-13, to Widener University at Quick Stadium Saturday.
The Dutchmen (1-5, 0-3 MAC) lost their fourth in a row, while the Pride (4-2, 3-0 MAC) remained undefeated in conference play.
LVC held Widener to 272 yards of total offense, but the Pride got an early touchdown off an interception that ended up being the differencemaker.
Freshman Caleb Fick threw for 200 yards on 11-of-31 passing, but also threw four interceptions. Senior Adam Brossman caught just two balls but racked up 82 yards.
On LVC's second possession, the Dutchmen faced a third-and-long at midfield. Fick ran the ball and earned the first down, taking LVC into the red zone for the first time, but on first down, Fick threw out into the flat and was picked off by Orlando Brown, who sprinted 81 yards to the end zone for the opening touchdown with 6:59 left in the first quarter.
The Dutchmen came out firing on the next possession, and Fick's bomb to Sean Donovan was complete at the Widener 45. Three plays later, Fick connected with Brossman over the middle for a touchdown, but the play was called back on a holding penalty.
The Pride, however, committed two penalties of their own, first on a roughing the passer call and then a facemask, to put LVC in scoring position at the nine. After a pair of Charlie Parker carries put the ball a yard away, the sophomore went outside and was stopped, bringing up fourth down. The Dutchmen elected to go for it, but Fick's keeper came up short and Widener took over on downs.
LVC's defense stopped Widener inside the five, but on the punt, Donovan fumbled the return and Widener recovered at their own 42. The Pride went on a long drive, but on third and goal Matt Campbell went to the end zone and Jeff Ochoa came up with the interception.
Widener again threatened with the ball on the three-yard line, but Campbell was again intercepted, this time by Russell DeStefano, who juked and jived across the field for a 65-yard return. The interception set up a 20-yard touchdown pass by Fick to Donovan with 3:08 left in the half.
The Dutchmen made another critical defensive stop inside the red zone with less than a minute to play, forcing Widener's Tom Laurich to settle for a 35-yard field goal to end the half.
The Pride opened up the second half with a another grinding drive, this time going 56 yards in 4:45 and capping it with a 27-yard Kevin Fisher touchdown reception.
Widener turned the ball over on downs to start the fourth quarter, but on LVC's first play, Fick threw a pass to Brossman that bounced off his chest and into the hands of Widener's T.D. Davis. The turnover led to Laurich's 22-yard field goal with 11:22 remaining in the game.
LVC was pinned at their own one-yard line, but broke out of the jam when Fick dumped off to Brossman over the middle and the senior added 72 yards to the catch to move into the red zone. After a Parker run took LVC up to the 10, Fick went for the end zone but was picked off by John Martorell.
Lebanon Valley got another chance late in the quarter as Widener punted, and the Dutchmen took over on the Pride 40. After a Widener personal foul pushed the ball spot to the 25, Fick found Joe Brennan on a 25-yard strike to get LVC within a touchdown. Andrew Brandt missed the extra point and it was 20-13.
LVC's defense held Widener, and the Dutchmen again took possession of the ball deep in its own territory, starting at the three with 1:52 remaining. After a few short gains, Fick tossed up a third-down jump ball to Brennan that was incomplete, but drew a defensive pass interference with 52 seconds left.
The Dutchmen wasted their second chance, however, as Fick threw his fourth pick of the day and second to Orlando Brown.
LVC will return home to face King's Saturday at 1 p.m.
